Created and organized in 1858, Hamilton County had 489 people in 78 families from 15 states by 1860. In 1861, its vote was 86-1 in favor of secession. Sixty farmers were organized as the Hamilton County Minutemen, a unit of part-time soldiers, and others joined Confederate regiments and fought at Vicksburg, Shiloh, and other memorable battles. During the Civil War, travel was on horseback and hauling by ox wagon, homes were built of logs split from timber along creeks and rivers, and about half an acre a day was farmed with homemade wooden tools. Corn and wheat were raised, and on burned-over ground each family grew its own tobacco, hanging the leaves inside the living room to dry. Diet was mostly beef, cornbread, and coffee substitutes, and homes were lighted by wicks stuck into tallow-filled eggshells. With few men on hand to brand and herd, feuds rose over thefts and straying cattle. In differences over war issues, two men fled to Mexico to join Federals. Later they returned, trying to recruit neighbors into a unit disloyal to Texas, to welcome planned Federal invasion. Further trouble came from many Confederate deserters who took refuge along the streams and lived by theft and violence.